Navigating Sleep Regressions
So many parents I work with dedicate their time to helping their baby sleep well. They invest countless hours in research, carefully monitoring wake windows, and crafting the perfect bedtime routine. But just when everything seems on track, a regression can disrupt sleep patterns, leaving them feeling frustrated, exhausted, and unsure of your next steps. Rest assured, these phases are normal and temporary!
What is a Sleep Regression?
A sleep regression is a (typically) short period of disrupted sleep. Even the best sleepers can experience regressions in their sleeping patterns occasionally! Regressions tend to happen when babies and toddlers are going through major developmental milestones- whether it’s learning to roll over or crawl, talk, stand up and walk, or a mental milestone, like learning new words and forming new relationships with the world around them.
How do I know if my baby is going through a regression?
Some common symptoms of a sleep regression include:
Difficulty settling at bedtime
Shorter or irregular naps
Increased and night wakings and prolonged wake time at night
Heightened fussiness or clinginess
How can we get sleep back to normal?
Here are some strategies to help you manage sleep regressions and promote better sleep for your child:
Stick to a Consistent Routine: Maintain a predictable bedtime and nap schedule to provide comfort and stability.
Offer Comfort and Reassurance: Comfort your child during night waking but encourage self-soothing gradually.
Create a Calming Sleep Environment: Ensure the sleep environment is conducive to rest with dim lighting, white noise, and a comfortable temperature.
Stay Patient and Flexible: Understand that regressions are temporary and adapt your approach based on your baby's needs.
Seek Professional Guidance: Consult with a pediatric sleep consultant for personalized strategies and support tailored to your family.
When is my baby most likely going to experience a sleep regression?
This is a great time to bring up the very important fact that not every baby will experience every or ANY sleep regressions in their development. On the other hand, some babies experience a regression every few months. Every baby is so different, it’s impossible to be able to predict exactly when your little one might encounter sleep issues. But here is a general list of some common times sleep regressions may occur and why.
4 Months Around 4 months (really anywhere between 3-5 months) babies experience a HUGE change in their sleeping patterns, where they go from sleeping in long stretches of light and deep sleep, to sleeping in sleep cycles like adults. This development almost always causes a temporary disruption in sleep as they learn how to fall back to sleep on their own in between sleep cycles.
8-10 Months At this age, babies often experience another sleep regression due to several factors. These may include separation anxiety, teething discomfort, or developmental leaps such as learning to crawl or pull themselves up. These changes can disrupt sleep and cause increased night waking.
12 Months Around their first birthday, some babies may experience another regression due to transitioning from two naps to one nap a day. Additionally, cognitive leaps and increased mobility, such as walking, can also impact sleep.
18 Months This regression is commonly referred to as the “toddler regression,” typically happening between 18-26 months. Toddlers may face sleep disruptions due to various factors such as language development, emerging independence, or transitioning from a crib to a toddler bed. These changes can lead to increased bedtime resistance, more night wakings, and shorter naps.
Rest assured that these regressions are typically short periods of time that can last from a few days to a couple of weeks. Following their developmental breakthrough, most babies are able to get back to their regular sleeping pattern in no time! However, in some cases, new unsustainable habits can arise as a result of having to navigate this regression, which can make poor sleep last weeks or even months following one of these periods.
If your child has experienced a regression and you’ve been struggling to get back on track with their great sleep skills, book a free 15-minute discovery call and we can chat about how to get your little one sleeping great again!
♡︎ Cara
